MORE than £40,000 has been invested at Middlesbrough College to open a hair and beauty academy.

The college has teamed up with hairdressing company Francesco Group to open The Hairdressing and Beauty Academy. Over 300 students will work in it each year.

The facility provides a real working environment to prepare students for working in salons.

Francesco Dellicompagni – founder of hair salon chain Francesco Group – attended the official opening, along with top stylists from hair salons across the Tees Valley.

Lynsey Hindhaugh, academy manager, said: “Trainees work with clients and carry out all the tasks expected of them in a high street salon, including cutting, colouring and customer service.

“It means Middlesbrough College is delivering the highest level of hairdressing training in the area, providing students with all the skills they need to walk into a job in the industry.”

Francesco Dellicompagni, said: “When we began the training model, the conversion of hairdressing students in full time education to quality employment was around 50 per cent.

“We are now proud to say that the figure is at a staggering 95 per cent, making Francesco Group even more determined to support up and coming young hairdressers.“

Customers are able to make appointments at The Hairdressing and Beauty Academy, within Middlesbrough College.

Visit www.mbro.ac.uk for more details.